Or they never grow up and their families ultimately pay the price.
Found out yesterday one of my younger cousins was killed in a car accident. He was 29. He was always on the wild side with a tendancy towards partying as far as I know. He was solo in his truck, on a rural highway, hit another car with 2 people in it at a very high rate of speed (judging by the article & all the things he hit after striking the car), flipped, and died. At 2 am. Toxicology isn't back yet but I'll bet my britches it won't be clean. Of course I'm sad even if we weren't close because, ya know, I remember stuff like bouncing him on my lap when he was a baby or having him chase us around wanting to be like us. Part of me is angry at the senseless aspect. If anything, my heart is broken for my aunt. She's a sweet lady. Opened her home to me and tried to help me out when I was a teenager. This was her only child. As a mom I just can't imagine burying your child and all your dreams with them. I hate that so much heartbreak will be left behind for something so dumb. That's the sad part to me. Worse is knowing your kid has hurt others, possibly maimed them for life. That's so frickin' wrong.
Last time I talked to this cousin was prob'ly 8 or 9 years ago. He and I had had a long heart to heart which I loved. But then a few weeks later he & his buddies pulled a really cruel prank on me via phone in the middle of the night that exploited things we'd talked about, that I confided. Drunk/high fools. I never forgave him. Still don't. It's a cold soul that could do that to someone, let alone someone you supposedly love.
So yeah, sometimes the stupidity and ignorance go on and on long after high school for some. You just have to keep your perspective and don't expect too much from them.
There's foolish people of all ages. Truly.